Steel Products Prices North America

SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Slowly Twisting in the Wind

Written by John Packard

August 23, 2016

Steel buyers told Steel Market Update that the domestic mills were clearly hungry for orders on hot rolled steel and getting hungrier for cold rolled orders as well. So far, coated steels (galvanized and Galvalume) have fared better than their uncoated brethren but even coated steels were seeing some pressure on pricing. Buyers were telling SMU that the mills have been aggressively looking for orders and at the same time trying to position themselves to only give up the low range we are seeing in pricing for tonnage. But, compared to just a few weeks ago the tonnage being requested has been shrinking on all products.

So, having said all of that here is how we see prices this week:

Hot Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $570-$610 per ton ($28.50/cwt- $30.50/cwt) with an average of $590 per ton ($29.50/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to one week ago while the upper end decreased $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton over last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is for prices to trend lower over the next 30 days.

Hot Rolled Lead Times: 2-5 weeks

Cold Rolled Coil: SMU Range is $780-$820 per ton ($39.00/cwt- $41.00/cwt) with an average of $800 per ton ($40.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range decreased $10 per ton compared to last week as did the upper end of our range. Our overall average is down $10 over one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is for prices to trend lower over the next 30 days.

Cold Rolled Lead Times: 4-7 weeks

Galvanized Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $39.00/cwt-$41.00/cwt ($780-$820 per ton) with an average of $40.00/cwt ($800 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained the same compared to one week ago while the upper end declined $10 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton over last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is for prices to trend lower over the next 30 days.

Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU Range is $840-$880 per net ton with an average of $860 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvanized Lead Times: 2-8 weeks

Galvalume Coil: SMU Base Price Range is $39.00/cwt-$42.00/cwt ($780-$840 per ton) with an average of $40.50/cwt ($810 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. Both the lower and upper ends of our range remained the same compared to last week. Our overall average is unchanged over one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is for prices to trend lower over the next 30 days.

Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU Range is $1071-$1131 per net ton with an average of $1101 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.

Galvalume Lead Times: 4-8 weeks

SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, and Galvalume price history. To use the graphs interactive capabilities, you must view it on our website here. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or by calling 800-432-3475.

John Packard

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